Our Leadership Team
At Mawal, our leadership team blends unparalleled expertise in Indigenous affairs and commercial strategy, ensuring every project is driven by professionalism, cultural integrity and strategic foresight. With decades of experience across mining, government, Indigenous engagement and corporate strategy, our leaders and advisors collaborate to unlock the full potential of projects on Indigenous lands.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Brad Welsh
Brad Welsh is the Founder and CEO of Mawal, an innovative investment firm dedicated to unlocking value in the natural resources sector while empowering Indigenous communities to participate fully in the global economy. With over 25 years of experience in mining, politics, and government, Brad is one of Australia's most senior Indigenous business leaders, uniquely combining cultural understanding with high-level commercial expertise - an essential asset in an industry where such experience is often underrepresented in First Nations communities worldwide.
A proud member of the Muruwari tribe from north-western New South Wales, Brad’s leadership is shaped by his deep connection to Indigenous culture and his long-standing commitment to empowering Indigenous communities. Having grown up in the Aboriginal community of Redfern and lived in remote and regional areas for over 15 years, Brad has witnessed firsthand the challenges these communities face. He believes that commercial experience is crucial for Indigenous communities to move beyond reliance on benevolent programs and into roles of self-determination, where they can manage capital, evaluate risk, and create long-term economic growth.
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Brad brings to Mawal decades of leadership and commercial experience from his work across the mining sector. He served as Chief Executive and Managing Director of Energy Resources Australia and held senior roles at Rio Tinto, including Chief Adviser to the CEO - Indigenous Affairs and General Manager of the Weipa bauxite operations. These roles equipped Brad with critical commercial skills in operations, strategy, and stakeholder management—skills that are rarely available to Indigenous communities but are essential to unlocking sustainable development and economic independence.
In 2023, Brad was appointed to the board of NIB Holdings and NIB Health Funds Limited, an ASX 100 company providing health insurance across Australia and New Zealand. His appointment reflects his growing influence in the corporate world, particularly in leveraging his Indigenous leadership to bring a fresh perspective to governance and strategy.
Brad holds a Master of Mining Engineering (Mine Management) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales, along with a Bachelor of Welfare (Aboriginal Community Studies) from the University of Western Sydney. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, reinforcing his commitment to high standards of governance and leadership.
Through Mawal, Brad seeks to bridge the gap between Indigenous values and commercial opportunity, creating new pathways for First Nations communities to engage with the resource economy, not as passive beneficiaries, but as active participants with the skills and knowledge to manage their own economic futures.
Partner
Hon. Ken Wyatt AM JP
The Honourable Ken Wyatt is a distinguished figure in Australian public life and a trailblazer for Indigenous leadership. As the first Aboriginal person to hold a federal ministerial portfolio in Australia, Ken has dedicated his career to advancing the interests of Indigenous communities while serving the broader Australian public. His roles have spanned health, aged care, and, most notably, Indigenous affairs, culminating in his appointment as Australia’s first Indigenous Minister for Indigenous Australians in 2019.
A proud Noongar, Yamatji, and Wongi man, Ken brings deep cultural understanding and political expertise to Mawal. His extensive experience in government enables him to navigate complex regulatory environments and advocate for sustainable outcomes in resource development projects. By aligning the development of Indigenous communities with project success, Ken helps Mawal unlock the latent potential of First Nations engagement in the resource economy.
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At Mawal, Ken’s leadership fosters stronger relationships between Indigenous communities and project proponents, creating pathways for both to benefit from well-managed capital and risk. His commitment to self-determination aligns with Mawal’s mission to empower Indigenous communities to actively participate in shaping their economic futures through resource development.
With a passion for health, education, and governance, Ken serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Energy Resources Australia and holds positions on multiple advisory boards, including the University of Western Australia’s Public Policy Institute. His involvement ensures that Mawal’s projects respect and enhance Indigenous culture while delivering real, long-term value.
